The year of gin: Trains, hotels and festivals dedicated to our juniper-loving hearts

All aboard the gin train!

The gin scene has seen monumental growth over the past few years quickly becoming the drink of choice for many, and about time too. Vodka, whiskey and beer have dominated the drinking scene from long enough.

In London, there’s literally a gin train pulling in where gin-enthusiasts can enjoy a ride on the Bombay Sapphire train called the Laverstock Express.

The train is only the latest craze in the world of gin following in the footsteps of the gin and tonic ice cream bar in the UK and gin festivals taking place all over the world.

Bombay Sapphire

According to Cosmopolitan, the train will be offering drinkers the chance to experience gin through a ‘grand journey’ of food, drink and virtual travel.

The Laverstock Express will be at The Banking Hall in the City of London for one week in July where fans will be taken on a 10-stop tour across the globe and visit the likes of Ghana and Tuscany, while exploring chef, Tom Sellers’ 10-course menu which features different botanicals found in Bombay Sapphire gin, along with selected dishes.

Sellers, who opened his eatery Restaurant Story at the age of 26, told Cosmopolitan that they ultimately wanted to enhance this unique experience for the diners.

“The food I create at Restaurant Story celebrates individual stories, be it from memory, history or literature. We wanted to translate that philosophy to The Grand Journey and create intelligent dishes that not only tell the story of Bombay Sapphire’s gin of ten journeys but also enhance the flavours of the botanicals to work in harmony with the accompanying cocktails.”

Bombay Sapphire

Also found in London, is a gin hotel called The Distillery which opened in 2016, featuring a micro-distillery, gin museum, specialist gin shop, two bars and restaurants as well as three boutique rooms.

In South Africa, gin festivals and bars are becoming more and more of a craze as well. We may not have a gin train boarding here, but we do have a gin bar in Cape Town and a range of festivals devoted entirely to gin.

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